India's goods and services exports are on a remarkable upward trajectory, with projections indicating a surge beyond $900 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, during his address to an Indian business delegation in Stockholm, highlighted this optimistic outlook despite the backdrop of global economic uncertainties. The minister's confidence stems from India's export performance in the previous year, which reached an all-time high of $825 billion, up from $778 billion in 2023-24.

The resilience of India's export sector is evident as it navigates through challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war, and the Red Sea crisis. These geopolitical tensions have not deterred the country's trade momentum, showcasing the strength and adaptability of its economy. Goyal's statements underscore the government's commitment to fostering trade and investment, both domestically and internationally, to sustain this growth.

During his official visit to Stockholm, Goyal engaged with his Swedish counterpart and local companies to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade and investments. This diplomatic effort is part of India's broader strategy to expand its global trade footprint and secure new markets for its goods and services. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) supports this vision, projecting a 21% year-on-year growth that could elevate India's exports to $1 trillion by 2025-26.

The consistent growth in India's exports, with the U.S. remaining its largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year, reflects the country's increasing prominence on the global stage. As India continues to navigate through global turmoil, its export sector stands as a testament to the nation's economic resilience and potential for future expansion. The government's proactive measures and the private sector's dynamism are pivotal in achieving these ambitious targets, setting a positive outlook for India's trade landscape.

Shares in European automakers Volvo Cars and Stellantis surged on Thursday as stronger-than-expected U.S. sales figures alleviated investor concerns that tariffs might dampen demand. The positive performance came despite ongoing worries about higher import duties imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of his administration's broader push to boost domestic manufacturing. Automakers across the industry have been implementing strategies to mitigate potential tariff impacts, including focusing on higher-margin vehicle segments.

Stellantis reported its first quarterly growth in the U.S. market this year, with new car sales rising 6% in the third quarter. The French-Italian-American automaker's shares climbed as much as 7% following the late Wednesday announcement. The company noted that all of its major brands—Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and FIAT—experienced sales growth during the period, indicating broad-based strength across its product portfolio despite the challenging trade environment.

Volvo Cars similarly posted encouraging results, with shares rising 5% after the Swedish automaker reported a 3% increase in third-quarter U.S. sales. The company's sales composition revealed that non-electrified models continued to dominate its U.S. business, with nearly 70% of September volumes consisting of mild hybrids and other internal combustion engine vehicles. This sales mix highlights how traditional powertrains remain central to the company's American market strategy even as it expands its electric vehicle offerings.

The Swedish carmaker, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding, faces significant exposure to U.S. tariffs since most of its U.S.-bound vehicles are manufactured in Europe. Currently, Volvo produces only its electric EX90 SUV in the United States, but the company has announced plans to begin local production of its popular XC60 plug-in hybrid by the end of 2026. An additional hybrid model is scheduled for production at its South Carolina factory before 2030, representing a strategic shift toward localized manufacturing to reduce tariff vulnerability.